James D Robertson

James D Robertson, MBE (2 November 1931 – 7 January 2010) was a Scottish painter and senior lecturer at the Glasgow School of Art. He played an influential role in the Scottish visual arts scene for nearly five decades.

James Downie Robertson was born in Cowdenbeath in 1931, one of twin boys. His family moved to Glasgow at the start of the Second World War and he attended Hillhead High School. He then studied at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) under the redoubtable David Donaldson and Joan Eardley. Graduating in 1953, Robertson spent some time in Spain but later accepted a teaching post at Keith Grammar School from 1957 to 1958.[1]

He entered the Glasgow School of Art in 1949 on a non-diploma course. In 1955, he was awarded a post-diploma and spent the summer of that year at Hospitalfield. After leaving the Glasgow School of Art he spent 18 months as a non-certified teacher at Keith Grammar school. In 1959 he joined the staff of the Glasgow School of Art initially on a part-time basis, ultimately becoming a Senior Lecturer and temporary Head of Drawing and Painting before his retirement in 1996.

From 1996 to 1998, he held the post of resident painter at the Glasgow School of Art. His work is held many public and private collections including Prince Philip and The Queen Mother.